Police find more bones belonging to missing Crawley man

A police search of Tilgate Forest, Pease Pottage, has found more bones believed to be missing 42-year old Jean Leveque from Crawley.

The search on Tuesday (February 17) found a skull, torso, arms and right leg, and scraps of clothing.

They were discovered deeper in the forest from where two leg bones were found last month.

A police spokesman said: “Searches of the area have been continuing on a regular basis since the first two bones were found but no more are now planned as it is evident that the whole body has now been recovered.

“Although DNA analysis has still to take place to formally confirm the identity, and this may take some days, it is believed that they are from Jean, and his next of kin have been told of the further sad news.”

Police were assisted by volunteers from Sussex Search and Rescue (SSAR) and Neighbourhood Watches.

Police were informed on January 28 that the first two bones had been found near a pond in Parish Lane, Pease Pottage.

A fisherman found them on January 26.

The two bones were identified as Jean’s as a result of analysis by a forensic archaeologist and by DNA comparison.

The police spokesman added: “The death continues to be treated as unexplained rather than suspicious, and the coroner has been informed.

“Extensive police enquiries had been carried out to try to find Jean, of Hawth Close, Crawley, including media appeals to which his sister contributed, after he was reported missing in May last year.”